Paterson coronavirus deaths jump to 59 with 1,348 confirmed cases; St. Joseph’s doctor released after month in hospital

Fifty-nine people have died from the new coronavirus in Paterson as of Wednesday afternoon, according to municipal government data. Previously, the city had 11 deaths. Municipal officials pointed to a lag in reporting fatalities that led to the large increase.

Age range of those who succumbed to the virus is 22 to 96. The number of confirmed cases in Paterson increased from 1,251 to 1,348 on Wednesday, according to data. Mayor Andre Sayegh is among those tested positive for the virus.

Sayegh revealed he had tested positive for the virus on Tuesday. He is not showing any symptoms and continues to run the government from home.

James Pruden, an emergency room doctor at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, who had been hospitalized for more than a month after contracting the virus has recovered. He was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday. Staff at the hospital clapped and cheered as Pruden, lively and gesturing, was pushed in a wheelchair through the lobby.

Pruden, 70, was in critical condition on a ventilator in March. He was taken off the ventilator after improving last week. He is well-known in Paterson, particularly in the Eastside section. He resides in Teaneck.

Paterson has the largest number of infections and deaths in Passaic County. Passaic County reported 4,372 confirmed cases with 71 deaths. Overall, New Jersey had 47,437 infections and 1,504 deaths on Wednesday.